A section of the attendance, at the Gasyard Centre on Wednesday evening last, to hear details of the proposal from The Ryan McBride Foundation that Brandywell Stadium should be renamed The Ryan McBride Stadium. DER0318GS006

THE RYAN McBride Foundation insists they want a quick resolution to their proposal to rename Brandywell Stadium after the former Derry City captain who died tragically in March 2017.

At a public meeting in the Gasyard Centre on Wednesday night, over 100 people turned out to express their views on the proposed plan to re-brand the Brandywell venue in honour of the much loved Candy Stripes skipper.

The Foundation set out their seven point proposal which has proved divisive and there were a broad spectrum of opinions voiced - both for and against - from residents of Brandywell and supporters of Derry City - one of the major stakeholders.

There has been a five member working group consisting of elected representatives appointed by Derry City & Strabane District Council, tasked with engaging with the public and the main stakeholders.

It’s expected the working group will meet with Council at the end of January and the Foundation hope it will then get the green light before Ryan’s first anniversary on March 19th next.

Foundation representative, Gareth McCay claimed the public meeting was ‘constructive’ and he remains hopeful the renaming of the stadium will come to fruition.

Conor Loughery, Gareth McCay, Mairead McKenna, and Colleen McBride and Caitlin McBride, members The Ryan McBride Foundation, pictured at a public meeting about the renaming of Brandywell Stadium in the Gasyard Centre on Wednesday evening last. DER0318GS004

“It went exactly how we perceived it would go,” he said. “There were strong opinions on both sides and we obviously appreciate the input - that’s why we were here.

“We could’ve had the meetings in dark rooms but we’ve opened it up to the community and we’ve heard from both sides. We’ll go away and try and find a meeting in the middle where we can keep everybody happy.

“We don’t want to be divisive, we want to work with people. To be fair to the elected representatives, they’ve said they want to do this quickly whether it goes through or doesn’t go through. I don’t think anyone wants a long drawn out process. We want it nailed down one way or the other.”

Several Derry City supporters at the meeting made their concerns clear with some suggesting the renaming of the stadium after Ryan was ‘creating a hierarchy’ of past players who represented the club.

We will look at different proposals but I think naming the Southend Park stand after Ryan isn’t going to happen.

Gareth McCay

One City supporter warned that, should there be a repeat of the violence and anti-social behaviour that occurred at the stadium in the past, then Ryan’s name would be ‘dragged through the mud’.

Mr McCay, however was hopeful the naming of the stadium after the ex-City skipper would mean the area would feel more of an attachment with the stadium and anti-social behaviour would dissipate.

“We feel that our naming proposal will also help in the maintenance and upkeep of the stadium and the areas surrounding. The community can feel an attachment to the new stadium and take ownership, such is the respect for Ryan and the McBride family in the local area. Ensuring the stadium is not vandalised or graffitied upon by anyone potentially engaging in anti-social behaviour.”

When asked if the Foundation has a ‘Plan B’ should the proposal be rejected by Council, Mr McCay said the family were prepared to look at different proposals.

Ryan McBride's father Lexie (centre) pictured at the The Ryan McBride Foundation public meeting about the renaming of Brandywell Stadium in the Gasyard Centre on Wednesday evening last. DER0318GS003

“The family’s view is they don’t want the Southend Park Stand with Ryan’s name on it,” insisted Mr McCay. “While there is work being done to it , I think everyone in the room accepts it’s not in a great condition. It just wouldn’t be right to put Ryan’s name on something in that condition. We will look at different proposals but I think naming the Southend Park stand after Ryan isn’t going to happen.

“Leaving Derry City to one side, and I appreciate they are probably the main stakeholders, Ryan is a boy who is from the Brandywell. He was born seven doors down from the stadium. He died seven doors down from the stadium and spent every one of his 27 years living there.

“Nobody ever thought he was good enough and he didn’t get there until he was 19 and ended up becoming captain of the team through sheer grit, determination and hard work.

“He’s a Brandywell boy - and in an area where there are not an awful lot of role models, he’s the ultimate role model. But that won’t last for too long because people will forget. But if his name is on that stadium, it will give young people something to aspire to.”

Towards the end of the meeting a potential compromise was suggested by a Derry City fan to name the stadium ‘The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium’ which was largely met with approval by the attendance and the Foundation.

“That single comment had made the evening worthwhile because it was a constructive comment that we can go and have a look at.

“It came from someone who perhaps wasn’t in agreement with the overall proposal but they’ve put something forward which is constructive. Ryan’s name is on this and we have a responsibility to get it right and a responsibility to behave in the right way.”